Pollock lauds Ponting

South African cricketing legend Graeme Pollock has branded Ricky Ponting as the best Australian batsman since Sir Donald Bradman.

And speaking to the Courier Mail, Pollock believes that by the end of his career, the Australian captain could be considered second only to the incomparable Bradman in terms of world batsmen.

With seven centuries in five Tests, including one in each innings of the second Test against South Africa in Durban, Ponting is in a rich vein of form, possibly the best of his career.

His average has climbed to 58.14, better than any other player in action at the moment, but Pollock believes it is Ponting's relentless attacking approach which gives him the edge.

"He plays winning cricket, he is a fabulous attacking player who can turn the game in a second and that's a big thing in his favour when comparing him with other batsmen," Pollock said. "You never saw the batsmen of 40 years ago take risks like Ponting does."

"I would agree he is probably Australia's best since Bradman. In the next five years he can move very close to being probably the second best ever from any country."

The skipper also believes he is in the best touch of his career, but says there is still plenty of room for improvement.

"I've just got to never be happy with where I'm at. I want to keep improving day after day," Ponting said.

"Although I haven't batted as well as I can bat in these last couple of Tests, I've been able to get through tough times which is something I might not have been able to do going back five or six years."